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$18k Tube preamp for large scale symphonies please

hi, can anyone suggest tube preamp that's good for handling complex music & large scale symphonies recordings in studio/ theatres? i had audition some: Aesthetix, CJ ,Modwright, Audio Note, ARC but all seems lacking in some ways and definitely not enough air at top octaves and instruments separation/ spaciousness. all dealer agrees that some pre is good at certain genre of music and sound Great even more if music is relatively SIMPLE like vocal, jazz, light acoustic, slow rock and maybe pop songs. Yes i know personal taste varies as well: bass strength & high freq. extension etc. & gears matching too. could anyone share their expreience so i can narrow down a list? my music typically: Van Hellsing & Princess Mononoke movie soundtrack. hope dealers provide constructive comments. Thanks All in advance. -phil
philipwu
jfrech's avatar
jfrech
1,816 posts
 
I'll have to echo Lenny's comments above. We both have Nagra PLL's on the Nagra VFS anti vibration plates. I am sure there are better preamps...but this one seems to do almost everything pretty right, little wrong.

I did compare it Aesthetix Callisto (much bigger stage) Ayre KXR, much better resolution/more quiet and my BAT VK51SE (more umpph in the mids)...the nagra just seems to split things down the middle.

One day soon I do want to try the Lamm and the Allnic (another to add to your list)
philipwu OP
214 posts
 
hi Jfrech, these are the comparison comments i like to hear. thanks very much for the info. i agree with you on Callisto & Ayre, both which i had heard. I had not heard Allnic but from the reviews i gather, it seems sound similar to JE audio VL10.1 i would have consider both of these as well but, no avail demo. I won't feel good asking them to open up a new box for audition then not buying it.
i had requested an audition for Nagra, hope dealer can retrieve back the item on loan
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Phillip,
I`m a strong believer in the virtues of high quality active linestages. Others would certainly disagree and prefer direct source-amplifier or a high quality passive. Have you given any thought to trying the LightSpeed or something similar before commiting to an active ?
Regards,
response34's avatar
response34
169 posts
 
Hello Philipwu
Maybe I missed it but where are you located? We have many customer that are at times willing to let people hear their Purity Audio Design preamps. It would depend on your location and what model might be available in that area.
philipwu OP
214 posts
 
hi Charles,
i have not heard any passive. while most people would definitely say matching is very important when using a passive, i personally think individual taste and music complexity are more influential in developing a person's opinion and judgement. From the reviews of passive linestage, although different opinions were formed, they all share common underlining problem, that is dynamics & attack weren't as good to actives, which is crucial to my genre of music, hence not interested. Thanks for mentioning :)
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